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Facebook’s giant step into eSports may be a look at its future

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FACEBOOK, the American online social media have decided not to keep on with its status as a media company anymore, but it might just want to be a gaming platform. Announcing today the company stated that it will be the exclusive destination for multiple leagues from eSports federation ESL. Look out, top-down cooking videos and insane Russian dashcam clips: you may promptly be competing with 360 no-scope headshots for users’ “meaningful interactions.”

January 23 will set off the starting of the ESL One, which features tournaments for both Dota2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournaments, along with ESL’s dedicated CS:GO Pro League, to be broadcasted through Facebook Watch, the streaming-video component. Which refers to tournaments, but it also means recaps, highlights, and a week-in-review show—which are already widely popular on Twitch, the streaming platform.

This puts forward an obvious question: If you are ESL, why not just sign with Twitch? The Amazon-owned platform already a destination for partnership of such kind. The Overwatch League—Blizzard’s ambitious challenge to conventional sports leagues—will exclusively host its broadcasts on Twitch for the league’s initial two years.

Ken Hershman, the Commissioner of the World Esports Association, an industry collaboration between top teams and ESL said: “We look at Facebook as the best of both worlds.” “It is a tremendous streaming platform, but it is obviously a social and engagement platform.” Utilizing Facebook’s targeting potentials, ESL will be enabled to extract highlights from the broadcasts and cross-post them on the pages of individual teams. These videos will live in Facebook Watch and surface on users’ news feeds as well.

The two companies have already tested out the dynamic. Last year, they collaborated to bring 5000 hours of ESL’s content to Facebook—and ESL’s reach on the platform grew subsequently. Prior to that deal, ESL was reaching 750,000 people on Facebook on a monthly basis; now, that number has exceeded to more than 25 million. And it is persistently growing. And what about Facebook’s side of the equation? Can watching digital crosshairs flick around drive the sort of engagement Mark Zuckerberg seems to have made his new year’s resolution? More than you might assume. ESL has outposts in over two dozen countries, each with their own roster of recognised analysts and broadcasters. In CS:GO-crazy Brazil, fan engagement on Facebook was so high—even when the tournament broadcasts were appearing across different platforms—that the Portuguese broadcasts became part of today’s partnership.

There’s more, though. This isn’t just a glimpse at where eSports will be viewed, but how. Remember that 2016 photo of Mark Zuckerberg walking throughout a roomful of Oculus-strapped journalists? That’s where the viewing experience is headed: ESL will be broadcasting matches in VR, using Facebook 360. Forget about squinting at your phone, a computer screen, a TV or even a stadium Jumbotron to make out what’s happening on the minimap; now, you’ll be able to watch it all in glorious surround (at least when 5G helps 360 streaming video be less of a blocky mess).

While Twitch has become an increasingly popular home for VR streamers, it simply cannot match Facebook’s VR strategy. Not only does Facebook already have teams dedicated to social VR and live VR experiences, but it owns Oculus, which will be releasing its standalone Oculus Go headset in “early 2018.” (And that headset’s $199 purchase price may have just gotten significantly more attractive to a few eSports fans.)

On paper, it feels like a bet on the future for both companies. In Facebook, ESL gets a global reach that far eclipses Twitch’s—over a billion people scroll through Facebook each day, close to ten times Twitch’s daily user base—the importance of which can’t be overstated as eSports continues to court mainstream entertainment appetites. In ESL, Facebook gets a prominent eSports league with a huge following that can help establish Facebook Watch as a game-streaming destination in one giant leap. In a market that was projected to bring in $4.6 billion last year, that’s a potential windfall for both parties.

And for eSports fans, Facebook’s recommendation engine means that the company may be able to cross-pollinate eSports communities like never before, turning fans into even more engaged fans. Follow a CS:GO streamer on Twitch? You’ll get more CS:GO streamers. Like CS:GO on Facebook and watch a Pro League match? You might just end up binging Dota 2 right after.

Source: wired.com

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eSports

Oddin.gg has entered into an exclusive multi-year data partnership with premier esports tournament organizer, PGL

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Building on the exceptional viewership of the PGL Major Copenhagen, which ascended to the third-most watched event in Counter-Strike history, PGL and Oddin.gg have agreed their strategic alliance through a substantive multi-year agreement.

This extension reinforces Oddin.gg’s position as the exclusive provider of Data & Integrity services for PGL’s premium Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2 events, underscoring Oddin.gg’s ascendancy as a pivotal force in the esports official data sphere.

The scale and caliber of esports content under this partnership have catapulted Oddin.gg to the forefront as a major data authority. The success of this collaboration is a testament to the synergy between Oddin.gg and one of the most impactful tournament organizers in the competitive gaming arena.

The extended multi-year pact encompasses a minimum of eight Dota 2 headline events along with a minimum of eleven Tier 1 Counter-Strike 2 tournaments. These competitions will feature the elite of global teams, competing for prize pools of at least USD 1 million each, promising to further elevate the profile of this flourishing partnership.

Marek Suchar, Co-founder & Managing Director of Partnerships at Oddin.gg, enthusiastically speaks on the extended partnership: “Our commitment is to affiliate with the premier entities in esports, and PGL stands out as a peak of excellence within the tournament circuit.

Their team has masterfully orchestrated the top three most-watched Counter-Strike and the two most-watched Dota 2 tournaments in history. With the dynamic evolution expected in 2025, we are both excited and privileged to align with PGL’s visionary path for the esports community to support, protect and entertain esports fans. This partnership is a strategic step towards enhancing the global esports experience, and we eagerly anticipate the groundbreaking advancements PGL will introduce for Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 in the years ahead.”

Silviu Stroie, CEO of PGL, shares his perspective on the alliance’s growth: “At PGL, our core mission is to craft the ultimate esports experience on a global scale. Independence, innovation, and integrity are the pillars we stand on, promoting fairness and sustainability within the esports world. In Oddin.gg, we’ve found an ally that resonates with our ethos, making them the ideal partner as we forge ahead. Our ongoing partnership solidified through a multi-year contract, echoes our mutual commitment to the community of esports. With Oddin.gg’s unmatched data and integrity expertise, we’re elevating our tournaments beyond mere excitement to meet the highest benchmarks of fairness. United, we are on a quest to curate unrivaled esports events, propelling this dynamic industry toward a vibrant and thrilling future.”

The renewed alliance with Oddin.gg arrives at a transformative juncture for PGL, marking a significant expansion in their annual event roster. This strategic development is timed with the enactment of new regulations starting January 1st, 2025, which mandate the separation of tournament organizers from teams. These guidelines are set to foster a more competitive and varied landscape for Counter-Strike 2 tournaments, ensuring a level playing field and circumventing any potential conflicts of interest.

This partnership renewal covering 2024 to 2026 underscores the commitment to these principles, promising an array of thrilling competitive spectacles in the years to come. It signals a fresh epoch for PGL events, championed by the upcoming Wallachia tournament in May 2024, which will serve as the inaugural event under this new agreement. The Wallachia event is just the beginning, heralding a series of tournaments designed to captivate the global audience with unparalleled competitive narratives and a showcase of elite talent, reinforcing PGL’s status as a trailblazer in the esports domain.

 

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eSports

DATA.BET offers streaming videos collaborating with Bayes Esports

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The provider is reshaping esports content distribution with its new Bayes Esports video streams

DATA.BET, a reliable supplier of esports betting solutions, now delivers a tool that elevates the viewing experience on operators’ platforms in collaboration with Bayes Esports, the leading supplier of official esports live data, services, and products.

The introduction of video streams from a trusted source represents a significant step in addressing the challenges in content distribution for popular disciplines, such as CS2 and Dota 2. Approximately 90-97% of esports events are broadcasted through Twitch. However, the platform generally has delays that can reach up to 2 minutes, equal to a round in CS2, leading to an outdated viewing experience.

“Our live streams with reduced latency mark a significant milestone in esports betting development,” stated Alex Kozachenko, Chief Product Officer at DATA.BET. “In a strong partnership with Bayes Esports, we deliver our clients and their users a faster, more reliable alternative to conventional streaming platforms, ensuring an immersive and authentic viewing experience.”

Bayes Esports’ video streams offer a solution for minimizing delays by providing official broadcasts directly from tournament organizers, serving as a “source of truth” for esports streaming content. The integration of this streaming feature also presents new opportunities for operators to increase retention and enhance their services by incorporating branding and marketing campaigns directly into the streams.

“Our partnership with DATA.BET unlocks new avenues for platform engagement,” commented Amir Mirzaee, CCO and Managing Director of Bayes Esports. “In an industry where user satisfaction is essential, providing operators access to high-quality, low-delay tournament broadcasts is a game-changer. It enables them to provide unique content and enhance the overall betting experience, fostering deeper connections with their audience and driving sustained growth. Official, low delay video feeds are a sure way to identify the respective official data offerings for users and a way to make sure that their engagement benefits the esports ecosystem.”

 

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eSports

TEAM VITALITY TO SET FIRE TO THE TEKKEN 8 SCENE WITH SOUTH KOREAN PLAYER JEONDDING

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Team Vitality, Europe’s leading esports organisation, is back on the fighting game scene with the latest instalment of the famous franchise TEKKEN. Following the release of the eighth edition of the renowned game earlier this year, the French club now welcomes TEKKEN 8 player “Jeondding” to the hive. This expansion strengthens the organisation’s presence in South Korea, reaching a new milestone on its mission to dominate the international stage.

JEONDDING MAKES DEBUT WITH TEAM VITALITY AT EVO JAPAN 2024

Jeon “Jeondding” Sanghyeon stands as a formidable player in the competitive TEKKEN 8 scene, boasting several successes and titles to his name. Recently, Jeondding ranked amongst the top two players in the Tekken 7 World Tour Grand Finals 2022 and top eight in 2023. His dominance also extends beyond the global stage, as in the same year, he emerged as the champion in both the VSFighting XI 2023 and CEO 2023 tournaments.

Recognised for his distinctive gameplay style, Jeondding has become widely known for his mastery of often overlooked characters in competitive play, such as ‘Eddy Gordo’. His ability to excel with these characters has earned him esteemed recognition within the fighting game community. Jeondding will continue to showcase his skills with ‘Eddy Gordo’ as he represents Team Vitality at EVO Japan, marking his debut on the international stage with the team from April 27th to 29th.

Beyond his skill, Jeondding’s charm shines through in LAN events. His charismatic presence strikes a perfect balance between competitive performance and entertainment, engaging fans worldwide. A passionate sports fan himself, Jeondding recognises the power of fans, electrifying the atmosphere wherever he competes!

“When I first got contacted by Team Vitality, I couldn’t believe it! I wondered if I could join a huge team like this, and now that dream has come true. While exchanging with the organisation, I started to get to know more and more about the identity of the club, watching their videos on their YouTube channel, their trophees… and it gave me goosebumps. I want to grow with this club, continue to be a great player and bring new titles on Tekken 8 for Team Vitality!” explains Jeon “Jeondding” Sanghyeon

REACHING A NEW MILESTONE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE BEFORE ESPORTS WORLD CUP

With the latest addition of Tekken 8, Team Vitality expands its competitive game titles to eight, along with ten rosters across male and female esports circuits under its banner. This addition not only solidifies the French club’s foothold in South Korea but also marks the organisation’s return to the fighting game community. Jeondding’s participation in key international events further strengthens Team Vitality’s commitment to tackling the global esports scene, with appearances slated for TEKKEN 8 tournaments at EVO Japan, Evo and CEO.

“I’m thrilled to announce our return to the fighting game scene with TEKKEN 8. We’re especially excited to debut alongside the highly respected and renowned player Jeondding. With this title, we hope to expand Team Vitality’s fan base as we embrace the passionate fighting game community! This new game also strengthens our presence overseas, adding enormous value to Team Vitality’s journey towards international domination.“ explains Fabien “Neo” Devide, Co-founder and President of Team Vitality.

Team Vitality’s international expansion is accelerated by the multiplication of top-level international competitions, including the much-anticipated Esports World Cup in the summer of 2024. Tekken’s welcome to the Team Vitality teams marks the first part of the announcements linked to this competition. With its performance-based DNA, Team Vitality is adding another string to its bow to win new titles on the international scene.

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